Method for modifying notifications in an electronic device

ABSTRACT

An embodiment relates to a novel apparatus and method for changing modes of notification in an electronic device. An electronic device includes a calendar application and a variety of other applications such as the message reader application or the daily alarm application. The device is configured to use the calendar application to track whether and how the user is notified of the receipt of an electronic. In one embodiment, the user specifically associates a profile behavior to the calendar entry when the calendar entry is first created.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates generally to electronic devices and more particularly to a method for modifying notifications in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic devices can provide a variety of functions including notifying users of various events throughout the day. Electronic devices can include several different types of devices including desktop computers or mobile stations such as simple cell phones, smart telephones, wireless PDAs, and laptops with wireless 802.11 or bluebook chip sets. These devices run on a wide variety of networks from data-only networks such as Mobitex and DataTAC to complex voice and data networks such as GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS and W-CDMA networks. Events that can require notification include receiving a telephone call by a cell phone or a regular telephone. Other events can include receiving an e-mail or fax by a chiming of the daily alarm or alarm notifying the user of an upcoming appointment.

Although notifications are useful in alerting users of various events, they can also be a source of constant interruption, annoyance and even embarrassment. Users of devices with notification functions can face constant interruption and distraction as the devices ring or vibrate loudly at inappropriate times and places. For example, cell phones ring loudly in the middle of lectures, exams, movies, meetings, performances or various ceremonies. Such inopportune ringing causes embarrassment for the user of the device, interrupts the event and distracts the other participants. Moreover, in circumstances where there is a live performance, a lecture or an actual person performing a ceremony, the ringing (or any other loud method of notification) distracts the lecturer or the performer and can ruin the event. Another example is the chiming of the notification function on an electronic device during an important meeting, perhaps in the middle of an intense conversation or during court proceedings or cross-examination of witnesses. Once again, the chiming of the notification function can cause embarrassment to the owner of the device, can interrupt the mood of the event and can generally disrupt the entire event.

These problems have become so widespread that organizers of events have started speaking out and some have started taking precautions. For example, most lectures and movie theatres post signs asking people to turn off their cellular phones and personal digital devices. Also, it is not uncommon for the chair of meetings, or the fist speaker of any proceeding to politely remind all participants to turn off their cell phones or other electronic devices.

In an effort to solve this problem, manufacturers have come up with devices that have different modes of notification, such as vibrations and visual alerts, so that users can change the mode of notification if they are attending functions where interruptions are a serious problem. However, these devices fall short of solving the problem of audible notifications in inappropriate times and offer only a limited control for the user to reduce the problem. One of the short comings is that the user has to remember to manually change the method of notification at the right time. Many users do not put their mind to changing the method of notification, until the device goes off in the middle of the event causing the embarrassments, interruptions and distractions described above. Moreover, in an effort to quickly change the method of notification, users may mistakenly choose an even louder or just as distractive mode of notification and do not notice their mistake until the device goes off in the middle of the event, causing the same embarrassments, interruptions and distractions referred to above. The user needs to manually invoke these alternative notification methods each time s/he wants to change the method of notification. Another problem arises because the mode of notification does not get switched back to the “default” mode after the event is over. The user has to remember to turn notification back on to “default mode”. Many users forget to turn notification back to the “default mode” and end up missing important appointments, phone calls or voicemails. Further, the user may turn off the device prior to the event, and may forget to turn the device back on, causing notifications to be visible instead of audible. This may have consequences for users that are very dependant on their electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to provide a novel system, apparatus and method for changing methods of notification that obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-identified disadvantages.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computing device comprising at least one output device which emits notification signals and a microcomputer which processes a first and a second event. The microcomputer instructs the output device to emit notification signals in accordance to a notification mode. The notification mode is derived from at least one (and possibly a set of) criteria associated with at least one of the mentioned first and second events.

The electronic device can be a wireless personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a cell telephone, a smart telephone or any other device that can signal users of the occurrence of events. Signals used to notify users can be audible, mechanical, inaudible, or combinations thereof.

The first event, mentioned above, can be an appointment, in for example, a calendar application, and it can be associated with a predefined notification mode. The second event can be either the receipt of an electronic message or the going off of a daily alarm, each of which the user would normally be notified of by a signal from the device. The electronic device can also include the functionality of a telephone and the second event can also be the receipt of a telephone call, which the user would normally be notified of by a signal from the device. The signal from the device can be in accordance with a notification mode associated with the first event or it can be selected based on a predefined characteristic of the first event such as a string of characters included in the first event. The first and second events can occur in different applications stored on the device and their respective modes of notification can be based on a plurality of profiles configurable for each application.

The microcomputer can be operable to execute a calendar application and a message reader application and the first event can be an appointment in the calendar application and the second event can be a receipt of an email by the message reader application.

One of the criteria that can affect the mode of notification is the physical location that is sensed by the device. For example, the device can be a personal digital assistant and the physical location can be a docking cradle. Furthermore, the device can be a bluetooth device and the physical location can be a proximity to another bluetooth device.

In another aspect there is provided, a method for modifying notifications in an electronic device comprising the steps of, performing a first event, performing a second event during the first event, deriving a notification mode based on at least one criterion associated with at least one of the events, and, generating a signal according to the notification mode.

In yet another aspect, there is provided an electronic device comprising at least one output device for emitting a plurality of different signals, a microcomputer operable to maintain a calendar appointment and operable to receive an electronic message such that when the electronic message is received during the calendar appointment, the microcomputer derives a notification mode associated with the calendar appointment and instructs the output device to emit one of the signals according to the notification mode.

In still another aspect, there is provided a method of modifying notifications in an electronic device comprising the steps of maintaining a calendar appointment, receiving an electronic message during the calendar appointment, deriving a notification mode associated with the calendar appointment and generating a signal according to the notification mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an electronic device for modifying notifications in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of certain internal components within the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the main menu screen displaying a plurality of applications including a calendar, a notification setup, a message reader and a daily alarm;

FIG. 4 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the calendar application displaying a plurality of individual appointments for the date of Jan. 31, 2000;

FIG. 5 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the notification setup application displaying a plurality of default modes of notification;

FIG. 6 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the message reader application displaying a plurality of emails received;

FIG. 7 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the daily alarm application displaying a designated time and an ON/OFF setting for the alarm;

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart depicting a method for modifying notification settings in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the message reader application having received a new email at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2000;

FIG. 10 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the calendar application, showing that at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2000, the user of the device is in a departmental meeting;

FIG. 11 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the message reader application notifying the receipt of the email in FIG. 9 by a flashing light from the LED indicator;

FIG. 12 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the message reader application receiving a new email at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2000;

FIG. 13 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the calendar application, showing that at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2000, the user of the device is in the middle of a dentist appointment;

FIG. 14 shows the device of FIG. 1 with message reader application notifying the receipt of the email in FIG. 12 by producing a sound from the speaker;

FIG. 15 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the message reader application receiving a new email at 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2000;

FIG. 16 shows the device of FIG. 1 with the calendar application, showing that at 2:00 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2000, the user of the device does not have any appointments scheduled;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of another embodiment with the notification setup application displaying a plurality of methods of notification;

FIG. 17 a shows the device of FIG. 17 with the calendar application displaying a plurality of individual appointments for the date of Jan. 31, 2000;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of yet another embodiment with the main menu screen displaying a plurality of applications including an application called profile string matcher, as well as the calendar, notification setup, message reader and daily alarm applications;

FIG. 19 shows the device of FIG. 18, with the profile string matcher application displaying a plurality of strings, each associated with a different mode of notification;

FIG. 20 shows the device of FIG. 18, with the calendar application displaying a plurality of individual appointments for Feb. 1, 2000;

FIG. 21 shows a flow chart depicting a method for modifying notification settings in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 22 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the message reader application having received a new email at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2000;

FIG. 23 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the calendar application, showing that the description of the appointment at 4:30 p.m. includes the word “meeting”;

FIG. 24 shows a flow chart depicting a set of substeps that can be used to perform one of the steps shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the profile string matcher application showing that the string “meeting” is associated with the profile “Quiet”.

FIG. 26 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the message reader application having received a new email at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2000;

FIG. 27 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the calendar application showing that at 6:30 p.m. the user is scheduled to have dinner with Bill;

FIG. 28 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the message reader application having received a new email at 8:30 p.m.;

FIG. 29 shows the device of FIG. 18 with the calendar application having no appointments scheduled at 8:30 p.m.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device for modifying notifications, in accordance with an embodiment is indicated generally at 20. In this embodiment, electronic device 20, is based on the computing environment and functionality of a wireless personal digital assistant. It is, however, to be understood that electronic device 20 can include the construction and functionality of other electronic devices, such as desktop computers, cell phones, smart telephones, and laptops with wireless 802.11 or bluebook chip sets and the like. In one embodiment, electronic device 20 includes, a housing 24, which frames an LCD display 28, a speaker 36, an LED indicator 40, a trackwheel 44, an exit key 46 and key pad 48. Trackwheel 44 and exit key 46 can be inwardly depressed along the path of arrow “A” as a means to provide additional user-input. It will be understood that housing 24, can be made from any suitable material as will occur to those of skill in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of certain internal components within device 20 are shown. Device 20 is based on a microcomputer that includes a processor 50 that is connected to a read-only-memory (“ROM”) 54, which contains a plurality of applications executable by processor 50 that enables device 20 to perform certain functions. Processor 50 is also connected to a random access memory unit (“RAM”) 58 and a persistent storage 60 which are responsible for various nonvolatile storage functions of device 20. Processor 50 can send output signals to various output devices including display 28, speaker 36, LED indicator 40, each of which generate specific outputs as instructed by processor 50. Processor 50, can also receive input from various input devices including trackwheel 44, exit key 46 and keyboard 48. Processor 50 is also connected to an internal clock 61 and a modem and radio 62 (not shown). Modem and radio 62 can be connected to various wireless networks through an antenna 64.

Device 20 is operable to execute various applications stored in ROM 54. Referring now to FIG. 3, device 20 is shown with a main menu screen 66, that displays a system clock 68 which is updated according to internal clock 61 (not shown). Main menu screen 66 also displays a plurality of applications that are executable on processor 50. In one embodiment, such displayed applications include a calendar 70, a notification setup 74, a message reader 82, a daily alarm 86. When executed on processor 50, these applications cause device 20 to operate in various ways, as will be discussed further below. Trackwheel 44 can be used to scroll through the applications and to select a desired application by pressing inwardly, along the path of arrow A, on trackwheel 44. Exit key 46 can be used to exit any application by pressing inwardly, along the path of arrow A, on exit key 46.

Referring now to FIG. 4, device 20 is shown displaying the day's schedule 100 for Jan. 31, 2000 using the application called calendar 70 on display 28. Schedule 100 includes a plurality of individual appointments 104 and 112. As illustrated in FIG. 4, appointment 104 is a departmental meeting, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., and appointment 112 is a dentist appointment, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Appointment 104 has a “no-speaker” icon 108 associated with it, while appointment 112 has a speaker icon 114 associated with it. Speaker icon 114 and “no-speaker” icon 108 will be discussed in greater detail below. Calendar 70 also displays a clock 68 that shows the current date and time according to internal clock 61 maintained in device 20.

Referring now to FIG. 5, device 20 is shown displaying the default modes of notification 110 using the application called notification setup 74 on display 28, comprising an audible mode 116 and an inaudible mode 120. Audible mode 116 is also associated with speaker icon 114 and inaudible mode 120 is also associated with “no-speaker” icon 108. As shown in FIG. 5, there is a “check-mark” 124 beside speaker icon 114, indicating that the default mode of notification for the present example is audible mode 116. Using trackwheel 44, check-mark 124 can also be placed beside “no-speaker” icon 108, indicating that the default mode of notification is inaudible mode 120.

Referring now to FIG. 6, device 20 is shown displaying a plurality of emails 130 using the application called message reader 82 on display 28. Emails 130 are received through a wireless network (not shown), that connects to device 20 via modem and radio 62 through antenna 64. Emails 130 have a series of information association with them, including, date of receipt 134, time of receipt 138, name of sender 142, subject line 146, and an envelope icon 150, that can be either opened or closed, indicating whether the email has been opened. Each email 130 can also have an exclamation mark 154 associated with it, indicating that the message is marked urgent by the sender. Trackwheel 44 can be used to scroll through individual emails 130, and inwardly depressed to open each individual email 130. Exit key 46 can be inwardly depressed to exit each individual email. For example in FIG. 6, it is shown that email 158 sent by Murphy Brown, at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2000, is not marked urgent, has the subject line: “Re.: Meeting” and has not been opened. Similarly, email 162 sent by Jason Peterson at 8:10 a.m., is marked urgent, has the subject line: “New File” and has not been opened. Message reader 82 also includes clock 68, which functions as previously described in relation to calendar 70.

Referring now to FIG. 7, device 20 is shown displaying a designated “Time” 170 and an “ON/OFF” setting 174 using the application called daily alarm 86 in display 28. As seen in FIG. 7, “Time” 170 is associated with a specific time of the day and “ON/OFF” setting 174 can be either on or off. Accordingly, at 9:00 a.m. each day, an alarm will be generated by device 20 as shown in FIG. 7. The operation of alarm 86 will be discussed further in detail below.

A method for modifying notifications in accordance with another embodiment will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 8 and is indicated generally at 500. In order to assist in the explanation of method 500, reference will be made to the foregoing discussion of device 20. In order to further assist in the explanation of method 500, the sequence of steps in method 500 shall be followed in connection to a series of examples using device 20. In these examples, it will be assumed that device 20 receives a series of emails at different times during the day.

As demonstrated in the flow chart in FIG. 8, information is received by device 20 at step 550. In the case of the present example, and referring now to FIG. 9, it is to be assumed that the information received is an email and that the email received by device 20 at this step is email 178. Email 178 from David Smith, is received at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2000 and is not marked urgent. At step 555, the time of receipt 138 of the information is determined. Referring to FIG. 9, time of receipt 138 of email 178, is determined to be 10:30 a.m. At this point, the method advances to step 560 where it is determined whether time of receipt 138 is during any of appointments marked in calendar 70. If time of receipt 138 is during one of such appointments, the method then advances to step 580. However, if time of receipt 138 is not during any of these times, the method advances to step 570. In connection with email 178, and referring now to FIG. 10, it is determined that time of receipt 138 is during appointment 104 and the method, advances to step 580. At step 580, it is determined whether the appointment with which time of receipt 138 is associated is designated as audible or inaudible. If the appointment with which time of receipt 138 is associated with has speaker icon 114 associated with it, then the method proceeds to step 590 and an audible sound will emanate from speaker 36. If however, the appointment with which time of receipt 138 is associated with has “no-speaker” icon 108 associated with it, then the method proceeds to step 595 and a flashing light 180 will emanate from LED indicator 40. In the case of email 178, since appointment 104 is associated with “no-speaker” icon 108, the method advances to step 595 and referring now to FIG. 11, flashing light 180 will emanate from LED indicator 40. At this point method 500 ends. There may be a variety of ways to cancel the output from LED indicator 40 by, for example, using exit key 46 and pressing inward on exit key 46 along arrow A.

To further illustrate method 500, an additional example is helpful. Let us assume that device 20 receives another email 182 at 12:30 p.m., as shown in FIG. 12. Following the steps of method 500 outlined above, at step 555, time of receipt 138 is determined to be 12:30 p.m. At step 560, and referring now to FIG. 13, it would be determined that time of receipt 138 is during appointment 112 and hence method 500 proceeds to step 580. At step 580, and still referring to FIG. 13, it will be determined that appointment 112 is associated with speaker icon 114. Hence the method proceeds to step 590, and as illustrated in FIG. 14, a sound 184 emanates from speaker 36. Method 500 ends. Similar to the example above, there may be a variety of ways to cancel the output from speaker 36 by, for example, using exit key 46 and pressing inward on exit key 46 along arrow A.

To help even further in illustrating method 500, it will be assumed that device 20 receives yet another email 186 at 2:00 p.m., as shown in FIG. 15. As demonstrated in the flow chart in FIG. 8, information is received by device 20 at step 550. In the case of the present example, and referring now to FIG. 15, the information received is email 186. At step 555, the time of receipt 138 of the information is determined. Referring now to FIG. 15, time of receipt 138 of email 186, is determined to be 2:00 p.m. At this point, method 500 advances to step 560 where it is determined whether time of receipt 138 is during any of appointments marked in calendar 70. If time of receipt 138 is during one of such appointments, the method then advances to step 580. If, however, time of receipt 138 is not during any of these times, the method advances to step 570. In connection with email 186, and referring now to FIG. 16, it is determined that time of receipt 138 is not during any of the appointments in calendar 70 and the method advances to step 570. At step 570, the default notification in notification setup 74 is determined. If the mode of notification is set to audible mode 116, the method would proceed to step 590 and sound 184 would emanate from speaker 36. If, on the other hand, the mode of notification was set to inaudible mode 120, the method would proceed to step 595 and flashing light 180 would emanate from LED indicator 40. For the purposes of the example with email 186, it is assumed that notification setup 74 is configured as shown in FIG. 5. Referring back to FIG. 5, because checkmark 124 is associated with audible mode 116 the default mode of notification is audible. The method, thus, proceeds to step 590 and sound 184 emanates from speaker 36.

Although, in the above examples, the information received at step 550 of method 500 were incoming emails 178, 182 and 186, it will be understood that information received at step 550 could be any type of information including an alarm from daily alarm 86. If for example, “Time” 170 was set to a time during appointment 104, light 180 would emanate from LED indicator 40. Similarly if, “Time” 170 was set to a time during appointment 112, sound 184 would emanate from speaker 36 and if, “Time” 170 was set to a time outside of either appointments 104 or 112, sound 184 would emanate from speaker 36.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an electronic device for modifying notifications in accordance with another embodiment is indicated generally at 20 a. Device 20 a is substantially the same as device 20 and like elements of device 20 a bear the same reference characters, but followed by the suffix “a”. Device 20 a is shown in FIG. 17 displaying different notification profiles 110 a using the application called notification setup 74 a. However, unlike notification setup 74 where the only choices for notification were audible and inaudible, notification setup 74 a, allows users to customize their methods of notification. Notification setup 74 a comprises a plurality of notification profiles 110 a, which in the present embodiment have been labeled Quiet 200, Discreet 204, and Loud 212. Each of these profiles 110 a can be customized by the manufacturer or by the user according to user preference. Profiles 10 a can also be deleted and additional profiles can be added as desired. Table I shows how each profile 110 a can be customized. TABLE I An Example of Customizing Methods of Notification Mode of Notification (Profiles 110a) Application Notification Behavior Quiet Message Reader Type: Inaudible 200 Tune: None Volume: Mute Daily Alarm Type: Audible Tune: Ring 2 Volume: Low Discreet Message Reader Type: Audible & Inaudible 204 Tune: Ring 3 Volume: Medium Daily Alarm Type: Audible Tune: Ring 1 Volume: Low Loud Message Reader Type: Audible 212 Tune: Ring 5 Volume: High Daily Alarm Type: Audible Tune: Ring 6 Volume: High

Referring now to FIG. 17, checkmark 124 a, located beside the profile Discreet 204, indicates that the default mode of notification for the present example is Discreet 204. Trackwheel 44 a can be used to scroll through the different profiles 110 a and to select a particular profile 110 a. Notification setup 24 a can also be used to customize each profile 110 a.

As illustrated in Table I, each profile can give rise to a different notification output for various applications on device 20 a, and notification behavior can be customized according to a variety of criteria, such as “type”, “tune” and “volume”. “Type” can be either audible or inaudible. Audible means a sound emanating from speaker 36 a and inaudible means a light flashing from LED indicator 40 a. “Tune” can be any tune chosen by the manufacturer or the user and programmed into device 20 a. This is the tune that would be played by speaker 36 a when “type” is set to audible. “Volume” determines the volume of the tune and in the present embodiment can be low, medium or high.

In operation, during appointment 104 a, the profile Quiet 200 would be in effect. Referring now to FIG. 17 a, the application calendar 70 a has a series of appointments 100 a. Appointment 104 a is associated with the profile Quiet 200, and appointment 112 a is associated with the profile Loud 212. It should now be apparent that whereas in device 20, each calendar appointment 100 had either a “speaker icon” 108 or a “no-speaker icon” 114 associated with it, in device 20 a, each appointment, can have a particular profile 110 a associated with it, instead. This is illustrated in FIG. 17 a, where appointment 104 a is associated with the profile Quiet 200 and appointment 112 a is associated with the profile Loud 212.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that Table I is just one example of the way in which notifications can be customized. Furthermore, the specific types, tunes and volumes outlined in Table I are not particularly limited. Also the list of specific applications associated with each mode is not particularly limited and can match the complete set of applications on device 20 a.

As seen in Table I, if message reader 82 a was to receive an email during appointment 104 a which is associated with the profile Quiet, the output notification would be inaudible, with no tune or volume and light would emanate from LED indicator 40 a. Similarly, if daily alarm 86 a was to go off during appointment 104 a, the output notification would be a low volume sound corresponding to a tune called “ring 2”, emanating from speaker 36 a.

In another embodiment, and referring now to FIG. 18, an electronic device for modifying notifications in accordance with another embodiment is indicated generally at 20 b. Device 20 b is substantially the same as device 20 a and like elements of device 20 a and device 20 b will bear the same reference characters, but followed by the suffix “b” instead of suffix “a”. In FIG. 18, device 20 b is shown with a main menu screen 66 b, displaying an application called profile string matcher 230, as well as calendar 70 b, notification setup 74 b, message reader 82 b and daily alarm 86 b.

Referring now to FIG. 19, device 20 b is shown displaying a list of strings 234, associated with a different notification profile 110 b, using the application called profile string matcher 230. List 234 contains a plurality of individual strings 238, 242 and 250, each associated with a notification profile 110 b. As illustrated in FIG. 19 string 238 is the word “meeting” and is associated with the profile “Quiet” 200 b. String 242 is the word “movie” and is associated with the profile “Discreet” 204 b. Finally string 250 is the word “home” and is associated with the profile “Loud” 212 b.

Referring now to FIG. 20, device 20 b is shown displaying the day's schedule 100 b for Feb. 1, 2000 using the application called calendar 70 b on display 28 b. Schedule 100 b includes a plurality of individual appointments 260 and 264. As illustrated in FIG. 20, appointment 260 is “weekly meeting”, from 4:00-5:00 p.m., and appointment 264 is “dinner with Bill”, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Calendar 70 b also displays a clock 68 b that shows the current date and time.

A method for modifying notifications in accordance with another embodiment will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 21 and is indicated generally at 500 b. In order to assist in the explanation of method 500 b, reference will be made to the foregoing discussion of device 20 b. In order to further assist in the explanation of method 500 b, the sequence of steps in method 500 b shall be followed in connection to a series of examples using device 20 b. In these examples, it will be assumed that device 20 b receives a series of emails at different times during the day.

As demonstrated in the flow chart in FIG. 21, emails are received by device 20 b at step 550 b. In one example, and referring now to FIG. 22, it is to be assumed that one of the emails received by device 20 a is email 278. Email 278 is sent by Andrea Lee at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2000 and is not marked urgent. At step 555 b, the time of receipt 138 b of the information is determined. Referring now to FIG. 22, time of receipt 138 b of email 278 is determined to be 4:30 p.m. At this point, the method advances to step 560 b where it is determined whether time of receipt 138 b is during any of the appointments marked in calendar 70 b. If time of receipt 138 b is during one of such appointments, the method then advances to step 580 b. However, if time of receipt 138 b is not during any of these appointments, the method advances to step 570 b. In connection with email 278, and referring now to FIG. 23, it is determined that time of receipt 138 b is during appointment 260. The method, thus, advances to step 580 b. At step 580 b, the mode of notification according to a profile selected from notification setup 74 b is determined.

Step 580 b “select output according to profile associated with appointment” of method 500 b can be performed in a variety of ways, one example of which is demonstrated in a number of sub-steps in FIG. 24. At step 581 b, it is determined whether the appointment, with which time of receipt 138 b is associated, includes any of the strings on list 234 of profile string matcher 230, outlined in FIG. 19. If the description of the appointment includes one of the strings on list 234, the method advances to step 582 b, where the type of notification corresponding to the matched string is determined. If, on the other hand, the description of the appointment does not include one of the strings on list 234, the method advanced to step 570 b, where the mode of notification is defined according to the default mode of notification per notification setup 74 b.

Referring now back to FIG. 23, at step 581 b, it is determined that the description of appointment 260 includes one of the strings on list 234. The method then advances to step 582 b where “weekly meeting” contains the word “meeting”, which matches string 238. The method then advances to step 584 b where, referring now to FIG. 25, it is determined that the notification profile associated with string 238 is the profile Quiet 200 b. Once the notification profile is determined, the method then advances to step 585 b where notification behavior is determined. For the purposes of this example, it is assumed that the modes of notification in this embodiment have been defined in accordance with Table I. In the case of the profile Quiet 200 b, when there is an email received by message reader 82 b, the notification is described as inaudible, with no tune or volume. Accordingly, at step 590 b light emanates from LED indicator 40, indicating the receipt of email 278. Method 500 b then ends.

Method 500 b will thus operate according to the receipt of different emails and during different appointments. For example, and referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, it will be assumed that device 20 b receives email 286 at 6:30 pm, which is during appointment 264. Since appointment 264 does not contain any of the strings on list 234, then during the performance of method 500 b the method will advance to step 570 b and device 20 b will rely on the default notification profile established according to notification setup 74 b. Assuming that notification setup 74 b is similar to notification setup 74 a and is set to the profile Discreet 204 as illustrated in FIG. 17, the method advances to step 590 b where device 20 b generates output according to specifications of the profile Discreet 204 in Table I and results in a flashing of light from LED indicator 40 and a medium volume sound corresponding to a tune called “ring 3” from speaker 36.

To further illustrate, and referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, it is assumed that device 20 b receives yet another email 290 at 8:30 p.m., which is not during any of the appointments in schedule 100 b. By now it should be apparent to the reader that, devise 20 b would go through each of steps 550 b to 560 b of method 500 b to determine that time of receipt 8:30 is not during any of the appointments in calendar 70 b. The method would then advance to step 570 where output is selected according to the profile selected in notification setup 74 b. Assuming as we did before that notification setup 74 b is similar to and is set up as in notification setup 74 a, the receipt of email 290 results in a flashing of light from LED indicator 40 and a medium volume sound corresponding to a tune called “ring 3” from speaker 36.

In general it should now be apparent that instead of a user specifically having to configure a different notification for every individual appointment or for every criteria within that individual appointment, rules can be established by a user, or the manufacturer of the device, such that the device recognizes certain keywords or strings within the description of the individual appointment, and/or within the description of information received by the device and signals a particular method of notification. For example the electronic device can be configured to be silent during all appointments that contain the word “business meeting” or “movies” and to signal/beep quietly when the appointment is over. At the same time, it could, also, be configured to vibrate if the information received is an email or voicemail marked urgent within any appointments which contain the words “business meeting” or “movies” in the description of the appointment.

While the embodiments discussed herein are directed to specific embodiments, it will be understood that subsets and variations of the embodiments are within the scope of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that the receiving of emails is merely an example of an application that can generate a notification. Other examples of information that can be received by a device include, telephone calls, faxes, voice-mail messages, notification of appointments, daily alarm notifications, warning messages from the device in connection to its operation, such as “low battery” messages, or any other set of information for which a notification may be of use.

It is also contemplated that notifications can consist of a variety of audible, inaudible, vibrating and combinations of audible, inaudible and vibrating modes of notification. Audible modes of notification can include software sounds with a plurality of different frequencies and pitch. They can consist of different melodies and songs or they can be connected to the radio amongst many other possibilities. Similarly inaudible modes of notification include a variety of possibilities, such as a plurality of vibrations with varying intensities, plurality of colors of flashing and non-flashing lights and pop-up screens on the displays of computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants and etc. The different modes of notification, or combinations thereof can be predefined by the manufacturer of the electronic device or arbitrarily selected and added on by the user.

It is also contemplated that an electronic device can be configured to use different modes of notification depending on a variety of criteria. For example an electronic device can be configured to have one mode of notification if emails are received during a particular calendar event and a second mode of notification if the alarm goes off or a voice mail is received during the same calendar event. An electronic device could be further configured to have a different mode of notification if the email or voicemail is marked urgent or if the voice mail is from a certain person or area code. An electronic device could be configured to simply shut off all modes of notification during certain appointments and/or it could be configured to notify the user of receiving the information after the appointment is over. In general, an electronic device could be configured to have different modes of notification for different calendar events and even within each calendar event, the electronic device can be configured to have different modes of notification based on a plurality of other criteria, such as the type of information received, when and during which calendar event the information was received, by whom the information was received, whether the information was marked urgent or whether the information was received with certain other attributes.

In general, it is contemplated that rules can be established based on any type of information related to an individual appointment or information received by the device. For example, the electronic device can be configured to vibrate softly during all appointments between 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and to be silent regardless of what type of information is received between 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., unless the information is a long distant phone call from a predefined person, in which case the device could ring loudly.

It is also contemplated that the device could change its method of notification based on the physical orientation of the device, such as whether it has a clamp shell that is opened or closed or whether it is being placed on a user's belt or on a device crib. For example, a device could be configured to vibrate softly if the device is out of the cradle and to have the LED indicator flashing when the device is in the cradle. 

1. An electronic device comprising: at least one output device for emitting a plurality of different signals; and, a microcomputer for processing a first event and a second event such that when said second event occurs during said first event said microcomputer derives a notification mode based on at least one criterion associated with at least one of said events and instructs said output device to emit one of said signals according to said notification mode.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of a wireless personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a cell telephone, and a smart telephone.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said signals are selected from the group consisting of audible, mechanical and visual signals.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said first event is an appointment associated with said notification mode.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein said second event is a receipt of an electronic message and said signal identifies said receipt.
 6. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein said second event is a daily alarm and said signal identifies said alarm.
 7. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein said electronic device includes functionality of a telephone and said second event is a receipt of a telephone call.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said notification mode is automatically selected based on a predefined string of characters included in said first event.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said events occur in different applications stored on said device and wherein said notification mode is based on a plurality of profiles configurable for each said application.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said output devices include a flashing LED output device for emitting a visual signal and a speaker for emitting an audible signal.
 11. An electronic device comprising: at least one output device for emitting a plurality of different signals; and, a microcomputer operable to maintain a calendar appointment and operable to receive an electronic message such that when said electronic message is received during said calendar appointment said microcomputer derives a notification mode associated with said calendar appointment and instructs said output device to emit one of said signals according to said notification mode.
 12. A method for modifying notifications in an electronic device comprising the steps of: performing a first event; performing a second event during said first event; deriving a notification mode based on at least one criterion associated with at least one of said events; and, generating a signal according to said notification mode.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of a wireless personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a cell telephone, and a smart telephone.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said signals are selected from the group consisting of audible, mechanical and visual signals.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein said first event is an appointment associated with said notification mode.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said second event is a receipt of an electronic message and said signal identifies said receipt.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein said second event is a daily alarm and said signal identifies said alarm.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein said electronic device includes functionality of a telephone and said second event is a receipt of a telephone call.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein said notification mode is automatically selected based on a predefined string of characters included with said first event.
 20. A computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for an electronic device, said set of instructions comprising: performing a first event; performing a second event during said first event; deriving a notification mode based on at least one criterion associated with at least one of said events; and, generating a signal according to said notification mode. 